Art Stapleton: On the Giants beat

Rookie defensive tackle Markus Kuhn is one of several younger Giants who are learning the NFL trade from a veteran teammate this season.

The student and the teacher – teammates with eight seasons and five games of NFL experience, respectively – proceeded to shadowbox in front of Canty’s locker, running the gamut of technique tips and other in-game hints stored up along the way.

"I was just talking to Chris; sometimes I try to peek a little bit too much and see where the ball is going instead of staying in my gaps, staying lower, improve my pad level," Kuhn said. "So there are definitely things I have to work on. I told him and Rocky [Bernard] before the game and I tell them in practice, I say, ‘Guys, if you see anything which I’m doing wrong, immediately let me know.’ That’s why when I come on the sideline they’re coaching me up and that’s the great thing.

"If you have great veteran players and leaders on this team, they help you out."

That kind of knowledge can be priceless for someone like Kuhn, whom the Giants selected in the seventh round in April because of his raw athleticism and strength.

The native of Germany was viewed as a project at defensive tackle, a possible practice-squad player with untapped potential. With unforeseen injuries at the position, including Canty beginning the season on the physically-unable-to-perform list following off-season knee surgery, Kuhn has been asked to contribute on game day.

In Sunday’s 41-27 victory over the Browns, the Giants gave him the start.

"The more experience they get, the better they are getting," said Canty, who expects to be activated from the PUP list and return to the practice field next week. "Especially Markus Kuhn; I thought he played very well for his first start."

Hakeem Nicks has taken Rueben Randle under his wing, promising to "show him the ropes," and the rookie from LSU finally broke out against Cleveland.

Chris Snee has taken on a similar role with second-year pro Mitch Petrus on the offensive line

With Snee playing despite a partially torn hip labrum, Petrus took a lot of reps with the first team in practice last week, picking the brain of the three-time All-Pro right guard every step of the way.

"Snee gives great advice," said Petrus, who played the final eight snaps against the Browns. "He’s not scared of anybody or worried about anyone taking his job; he is a very good player. So he shares everything with me, takes time to watch film with me and goes over tendencies. He makes me feel confident with everything I need to do if they have to call my number."

Kuhn played 27 snaps against the Browns and, with his mother Sylvia and sister Nina watching for the first time from the MetLife Stadium stands, the 26-year-old finished with a pair of tackles and batted down two Brandon Weeden passes.

"I was excited, but I also knew since you have some great players out right now, I have to step up," Kuhn said. "And the other team doesn’t feel sorry for me – say, ‘Oh, he’s from Germany, he doesn’t know better, he’s a rookie.’

"You have to go out there and perform."

The Giants have been hammering that "next man up" message all along.

As long as the veterans are willing to keep talking, Kuhn has no plans to stop listening.